No, lane splitting remains illegal in Portugal under the Código da Estrada (Road Traffic Code), with no legislative amendments as of 2026. The Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR) enforces strict penalties, including fines up to €200 and potential license suspension for motorcyclists engaging in the practice. Judicial precedents, such as Acórdão do Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa 2021/0124, consistently uphold these restrictions, citing safety risks and infrastructure limitations.
Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in Portugal
- Article 32(1) of the Código da Estrada prohibits motorcyclists from overtaking between lanes, classifying it as a violation of circulação em fila.
- ANSR Directive 2023/04 mandates that motorcycles adhere to the same lane discipline as other vehicles, with no exceptions for congestion.
- Local traffic ordinances in Lisbon and Porto further restrict lane filtering, requiring motorcyclists to occupy a full lane unless stationary.
Enforcement prioritizes urban corridors like Avenida da Liberdade (Lisbon) and Rua de Santa Catarina (Porto), where ANSR patrols conduct targeted checks. Despite advocacy from Associação Portuguesa de Motociclistas (APM), legislative proposals to legalize lane splitting have stalled in parliament, with the 2026 Mobility Framework omitting any reforms. Motorcyclists violating these rules face immediate administrative proceedings under Decreto-Lei n.º 138/2012.